For this post, I will talk about a media theory I wish to integrate into my project. The media theory I chose is Todorov's Narrative Theory of Equilibrium. I believe it fits the project best since we are introduced to our character and then the time loop begins shortly after that. These events are known as the equilibrium and disequilibrium for this specific story. Now before I start yapping, let's just cut to the chase and research how this theory actually works.
The Theory
In 1969, Tzvetan Todorov created Todorov's Narrative Theory of Equilibrium, where he wanted to try to apply a universal structure that could be applied to all films. To be honest, it can be applied to more than just films since it is also present in video games like Luigi's Mansion 3 (2019). It can really be applied to any form of media with a storyline since it is a narrative theory at the end of the day. Anyways, the structure of it can be broken up into five different stages. Each stage acts as a sort of waypoint to understand where we are in the story. The stages go as follows: The equilibrium, the disequilibrium, the acknowledgment, the repair, and then a new equilibrium. The goal is to go full circle with the story and have the characters finally go back to living in stability, either returning back to their normal life or finding a new equilibrium in some way.
Here is a diagram I found to help visualize this process. 
The three stages to focus on in this theory are equilibrium, disequilibrium, and acknowledgment since that is what will be shown within our project. Now I know it sounds a little crazy to be going through three whole stages within our opening credits, but trust me, it works. When we are talking about our story, our protagonist is in a relatively short time loop, reliving a short therapy session over and over again. We will learn about her character through the session, which fits into the equilibrium stage since is a normal thing for her. She will loop three times in this two-minute opening so we can establish the plot of the film, with the loop itself acting as the disequilibrium. She will recognize the loop within this opening, because who wouldn't notice themselves going back in time a few minutes, which will fit into the acknowledgment stage. The rest of the film after the opening would focus on her trying to get out of the loop, counting as the repair stage. Once she has solved how to get out of it, her life will return to normal which counts as the new equilibrium.
Example
This theory is extremely universal since it was created for that sole reason. It can be applied to countless films, novels, video games, even advertisements; anything with a story. A good example of this would be Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001), the first of the iconic Harry Potter films.
The poster for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)
Let's talk about what parts of this film fit into each stage. Starting off with the equilibrium stage, where Harry is living his day-to-day life with the Dursleys. Even though it was a terrible time for him (they were actually the biggest haters of all time), it was still his normal life; his equilibrium. This equilibrium is disrupted when he learns that he is a wizard, and begins attending Hogwarts. The acknowledgment stage is shown when he discovers that Voldemort is attempting to return to power, a problem that he attempts to solve. This is where the repair stage is seen, where he and his friends attempt to stop what they think is Snape trying to take the Sorcerer's Stone when in reality it is Quirrell/Voldemort. After finally stopping him, his new equilibrium is found now that he has both established his place at Hogwarts and made some new friends, completing Todorov's narrative cycle.
Sources:
- Media Studies. (2020, October 1). Todorov’s Narrative Theory of Equilibrium and Disruption. Media Studies. https://media-studies.com/todorov/
- Argyrou, S. (2014, January 15). Todorov Theory. Selina Argyrou; Selina Argyrou. https://selinaargyrou.wordpress.com/todorov-theory/
- Rowling, J. K., & Kloves, S. (2001, November 16). Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0241527/
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